Global Markets Start Busy Economic Week in Mostly Positive Mood

By Dow Jones Newswires StaffU.S. futures and European stocks were up at the start a busy week for economic data on optimism that the next round of tariffs due on April 2 won't be as aggressive as first feared, while Asian stocks were mixed.Data due this week includes flash purchasing managers' indexes on Monday, a U.S. consumer confidence indicator for March on Tuesday, durable-goods data for February on Wednesday and jobless claims on Thursday.Friday's February PCE inflation reading--the Fed's preferred measure--will be closely monitored amid whatever tariff news comes along.U.S. futures for the S&P 500 rose 0.9% early in Europe, and futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.7%. The Stoxx Europe 600 gained 0.4%, and the FTSE 100 added 0.5%. The Nikkei closed down 0.2%, with mainland China shares mainly down also. However, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was 0.9% higher on bargain hunting after recent session declines and India's Sensex was up 1.3%Movers in Europe included Bayer, which lost over 4% after a U.S. court ordered it to pay $2.1 billion in a Roundup weedkiller case. Gold Fields fell nearly 4% after its $2.1 billion cash offer for Australia's Gold Road Resources was rejected, while other miners rose with Anglo American up 3.6% amid continued elevated gold prices.The dollar softened after a recent modest recovery. The DXY dollar index against a basket of major currencies last nudged down 0.1% to 103.946 after hitting a two-week high of 104.223 on Friday. Bitcoin was up 2.6% to $87,416.U.S. 10-year Treasury yields edged higher in early European trading in line with moves in eurozone bond yields, and was recently up 3.5 basis points at 4.288%.Sterling started the week up 0.4% against the dollar, but could be vulnerable to Wednesday's U.K. spring statement with Treasury chief Rachel Reeves lacking fiscal room to boost growth.Oil prices inched lower as traders weigh the impact of talks for a ceasefire in Ukraine against fresh U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil. Brent crude and WTI were both down 0.2% at $71.98 and $68.13 a barrel, respectively.Write to Barcelona Editors at [email protected]